Re: Wheels for 89 200TQW

[audidudi@mindspring.com (Jeffrey J. Goggin)]

>Jeff, your picture shows the front fender :)

Er, you're right ... I guess I'll have to correct that when I finish my new
web site.  :^(

>Seriously, Jeff is right, but for most of us rotating the wheels is a
>desirable option. Besides, if you have your mind set on a particular
>wheel style (like I had) and it does not have the Audi 45mm offset
>available but rather a common 35mm offset, you will have to flare the
>fenders.

Actually, it's not just the offset that counts but the width and diameter of
the wheels as well as the profile of the tires ... in the end, if you really
want to fit the largest wheel/tire combo possible on a car, there's no
alternative to actually mounting up a set and seeing whether they fit or
not.  When I was spec'ing my 200q, I rigged up an adjustable
plywood-and-cardboard template and moved the wheels through their range of
travel so I could determine exactly what offsets I would need.  Since my
wheels were being made to order, I could spec a custom offset for them
rather than just choose from the generic ones offered by the manufacturer.
However, if I were to order them again, I would have all four made with the
larger rear offset and use spacers up front as this would achieve the same
thing but make it easier to rotate the tires.

BTW, in case anyone's curious, preliminary measurements suggest that the
8.5x18" wheels that are sitting in my garage at the moment *will* barely fit
but it's going to be tight ... if I decide to go ahead with them, it'll
probably be necessary to flatten the lip on the front fender and/or slightly
clearance the steering arm ... it isn't clear yet whether it'll be necessary
to clearance the firewall as well.  So far, it doesn't appear it'll be
necessary to flare the rear fenders but I haven't pulled the shocks yet to
confirm this ... stay tuned! :^)

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   / |      _| o    | \       _| o  Jeffrey Goggin
  /__| | | / | | __ |  | | | / | |  audidudi@mindspring.com
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